NCJ Number
146468
Date Published
1993
Length
22 pages
Annotation
The Female Population Task Force of the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services was established to provide a demographic profile of the female offender, identify her needs, and present a plan to implement changes within the service delivery system to meet those needs and to improve services to young female offenders.
Abstract
The median age for girls referred for intake in Maryland is 15; most are African American and come from Baltimore City. Two-thirds of the girls lived with their mothers before intake and only 5 percent lived with both parents. Medical case files showed that 38 percent had prior or current sexually transmitted diseases, 32 percent had other chronic health problems, and 14 percent were mothers. Over 85 percent of the female cases processed by intake were delinquent, as opposed to status, offenses; property crimes led to the greatest number of referrals, while assault was the largest offense category. Nearly 60 percent of adjudicated girls were admitted to some kind of placement. 6 tables and 2 figures